Concentrations

The PSIA Concentrations are the full embodiment of the diversity of PSIA course offerings. PSIA offers twenty-three concentration programs, from which students select two concentrations. Given the strong added value of acquiring a regional focus, 85% of PSIA students choose at least one regional concentration.

With 9 master programs and 23 concentrations, PSIA students have 2800 different possible combinations of master and concentrations for their academic program, in addition to our dual degree programs.

The breadth and depth of PSIA concentrations is unique among schools of international affairs. Concentrations give students the freedom to explore related or complementary themes to your Master program while giving a leading edge on the job market. The concentrations are open to all PSIA students irrespective of their choice of Master and are intended to complement their core curricula in relation to their career projects and the specificities of certain job markets.

Students choose 2 concentrations which they will follow for the duration of their studies at PSIA.

during their first semester, students take 2 courses: 1 in each concentration

during their second semester, students take 2 courses: 1 in each concentration

during their last semester, students take 2 courses: 1 in each concentration

A concentration in Regional Studies is highly recommended for all students.

For dual degree students, you will be asked to choose only one concentration.

Given the range of the program offering (23 concentrations distributed across regional concentrations and thematic concentrations) coupled with the fact that students may choose any two concentrations, hundreds of combinations are available, and no two PSIA Master students will be alike.

Students may tailor your course of study to your specific areas of interest and at the same time your profile to meet the needs of the job market. As a result you will want to think about your choice of concentrations at the same time as your choice of courses in your Master core curriculum – they should form a whole.

PSIA students may choose any two "Concentrations" among the following. The concentrations are open to all PSIA students irrespective of their choice of Master and are intended to complement their core curricula in relation to their career projects and the job market.

Regional Concentrations

African Studies

Chinese and East Asian Studies

European Studies

Latin American Studies

Middle Eastern Studies

North American Studies

Russian Studies

South and Central Asian Studies

The choice of 8 regional concentrations gives you the unprecedented opportunity of learning international affairs through and by research as the faculty is made up of full-time professors at Sciences Po’s Centre d’études et de recherches internationales (CERI) and Doctoral School as well as renowned specialists from partner universities.

Undertaking a regional concentration also gives students a definite advantage on the job market: recruiters of international affairs graduates are looking more and more to those who have acquired both a specialisation in a field combined with an understanding of the culture, history, politics and economics of a specific part of the world.

Students will be requested to indicate their choice of two concentrations and consult with PSIA faculty and staff prior to course registration. They will confirm their choices on the day of course registration. In total, for each chosen concentration, students must follow three 24-hour modules.